Conflicting statements in the bible

[Tonus]

You do not find satisfaction in eternal glory for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked? I sure do.

I would find satisfaction in knowing that someone who did such awful things with such a cavalier attitude suffered for it tenfold, yes. And that those who suffered at the hands of people like him are rewarded tenfold. It is certainly comforting to think that at some point, justice is served in full. I don't think that this is the case, and it's terrible to think that the universe can be so unfair. But I can't believe based on what I wish were true. I think Hugh Hefner may be the only person who pulled that off.

I liked that part of the Jehovah's Witnesses belief system. They believe that Adam and Eve's actions derailed god's plan, but that his intent was to return things to the way he intended at the start. At some point, he would turn the whole planet into one big Garden of Eden and hand it over to a perfected humanity, free of disease and suffering and death. The alternative, as I understand it, is for this world to continue as it is and basically serve as a factory that pumps out souls heading to heaven and souls heading to hell. That is somewhat depressing, in that Earth winds up as little more than a forgettable way station. The idea that humanity is mostly destined for pain and suffering and then more pain and suffering (or depending on your views, a return to nothingness) is even more depressing.

Do you believe that there is a point at which we get off of the treadmill and Earth becomes what it might have been, and not just a short and unpleasant stop on the way to an afterlife?